Influence on Fashion and Styling Trends
Styling choices in Barely Legal sometimes influenced youth fashion trends, especially in lingerie and casual wear featured in photo shoots. The magazine's clean, natural look inspired certain styles in mainstream youth culture.
The magazine was founded in 1986 by Bob Guccione Jr., who had previously worked for Penthouse magazine. He wanted to create a magazine that would appeal to college students and young professionals. The magazine quickly gained popularity, selling out its first issue in just weeks. It featured nude models posing seductively, often in softcore settings. The magazine's early covers featured women in swimsuits or bikinis, but it soon began featuring more revealing shots. Influence on Fashion and Styling Trends
In the mid-1990s, Barely Legal adopted a more polished look, with more stylish clothing and less explicit imagery. This subtle influence linked adult media aesthetics with broader fashion sensibilities. The magazine's new editorial direction coincided with a rise of minimalism in fashion, which emphasized clean lines and simple fabrics. Many of the magazine's photographers were already working in this style, so they easily adapted their work to fit the new tone. As a result, many of the clothes worn by Barely Legal models became staples in teenage closets.
Barely Legal's influence extended beyond lingerie and casualwear. Its use of soft lighting, pastel colors, and natural locations influenced photographers and designers across genres. Photographer Helmut Newton credited Barely Legal as an inspiration for his iconic fashion photography. Designers such as Ralph Lauren and Calvin Klein also used similar techniques in their advertising campaigns. Barely Legal's success showed that eroticism could be sold without being overtly sexual. This allowed them to appeal to a wider audience, including those who might not normally buy magazines like Playboy. Influence on Fashion and Styling Trends
While Barely Legal never reached the popularity of its competitors, it still had a lasting impact on fashion and styling trends. Its influence can be seen today in mainstream fashion magazines, where models often wear minimalist outfits and pose seductively. It also paved the way for more sophisticated adult publications, such as Blackbook and Esquire. These magazines have helped shape modern masculine and feminine styles, influencing how people dress every day.
Despite these achievements, Barely Legal was short-lived. The magazine closed in 2003 after struggling financially. However, its legacy lives on through its many imitators and homages. Many current publications still feature minimalist clothing and pastel colors inspired by Barely Legal. And the magazine continues to be referenced in popular culture, from TV shows to music videos. As one critic put it, "Barely Legal may have been ahead of its time, but its legacy is undeniable."